James P. Smartt

J.
P. Smartt, senior member of the firm of Smartt Bros. & Co., wholesale
boot and shoe dealers, was born in Warren County, Tenn., in 1844. His
parents, George M. and Anna (Waterhouse) Smartt, were natives of
Tennessee. The father was a farmer, and a man who took an active
interest in the welfare of his community. In 1857 he was sent by the
people of his county to represent them in the General Assembly. In 1871
the mother died, but the father is still living. To them were born nine
children, four sons and five daughters. After the death of his wife the
father was again married, with the result of three children. Our subject
was reared on the farm, and educated at McMinnville College, and also at
Hannah Highland College. In 1862 he volunteered in Company C, Sixteenth
Tennessee Infantry, Confederate Army, and during three years of service
never missed a day. At the cessation of hostilities he returned and
taught at Hannah Highland College, where he had received the principal
part of his education. In 1868 he went to Nashville, where he was
engaged respectively in the wholesale drug, boot and shoe and hat
business. In 1875 he came to Chattanooga, and has since been a prominent
factor in the business progress of the city. In 1879 Rowena Kennedy, of
Chattanooga, became his wife, and the fruits of this union were three
children -two sons and one daughter. Mr. Smartt is director, and
formerly vice-president of the Third National Bank; is director of
Mountain City First Marine City Insurance Company; is director and
vice-president of the Chattanooga Investment Company; has been president
of the board of trade; is director in the Chattanooga Springs Company,
and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, having been an
elder in the same since 1866.